Capitalising on the rise in remote working and the associated increase in sedentary lifestyles during working hours, Fluiditec identified an opportunity to address a growing need for movement and ergonomic support in home office environments.
The objective was to introduce a product that would provide the market with a sturdy, comfortable, and versatile solution that functions both as a sit/stand footrest and an acupressure balance board, encouraging subtle movement and improved posture throughout the working day.
Design & Development
The design of the Under/Stand had a head start, as its alignment with an existing market product had already been established. This provided clear design criteria, which were further developed to incorporate unique selling points for the product.
Prototype & Testing
The design required the structure to maintain its form under the weight of an average user. To achieve this, substantial moulded reinforcement was integrated into the plastic components, resulting in a robust and durable construction.
Throughout the development process, multiple iterations of the internal structure were explored, with variables adjusted to account for wall thickness, draft angles, and tooling constraints.
The final design employed traditional geometric reinforcement patterns to ensure even weight distribution while also supporting efficient and reliable tooling.
Production
Initial prototypes were machined from ABS to validate structural integrity. With each subsequent iteration, additional tooling considerations were introduced to ensure manufacturability. This approach enabled a smooth transition to a Chinese tooling and manufacturing partner.
At this stage, reducing design complexity was critical, allowing for minimal tooling modifications while addressing key manufacturing concerns such as sink marks, ghosting, part ejection, and gate placement.
Textile Design & Development
A key driver in the development of this product was to provide the user with a functional standing aid combined with a comfortable resting surface. The design warranted an aerospace memory foam core with water wicking and compliant fabric. Early testing revealed that the initial design direction required an adhesive solution to secure the cushion when inverted. However, to minimise additional components and manufacturing processes, the design was reconsidered.
The components were subsequently redesigned to incorporate an integrated undercut—an approach initially ruled out—which now provides a retention ledge for the cushion. This allows the user to press-fit the cushion into place, remove it easily when needed, and ensures it remains securely positioned without the need for adhesive.
Production
Tooling for the components was produced using polyurethane (PU), with each part designed to be manufactured using a simple two-part mould. The geometry of the components was carefully considered to minimise the need for side actions, reducing tooling complexity while keeping both production time and associated costs low. This approach allowed for efficient manufacture while maintaining the dimensional accuracy and surface finish required for the final product.
Production was carried out internationally through specialist suppliers experienced in low-volume manufacturing. Once produced, the components underwent quality checks to ensure consistency and adherence to the required specifications before being packaged and transported to the client.
Final assembly of the device was managed and completed at the client’s premises in South Wales. This allowed the client to maintain direct oversight of the final build process, ensuring the finished devices met their internal quality standards and functional requirements before distribution.
Packaging
As the device utilised proprietary vials containing a polymer solution, it was imperative that both the applicator and its contents could be safely transported and securely stored when not in use.
A rugged transit case was therefore adapted to accommodate the device and its spare consumables. The interior featured custom-cut foam inserts to precisely house the applicator and replacement vials, protecting them from damage during transport.
The case also incorporated a multi-layered storage solution, allowing additional components such as the power supply and a small repair kit to be stored within the same enclosure. This ensured that users could transport and store the complete system in a single, organised package, with confidence that all necessary components were readily available when required.
All work shown on this page was undertaken whilst under the contractual employment of Corryn Biotech Ltd & ITERATE UK. All work shown, has been created independently or at the time of release on this portfolio website, had been launched and was within the public domain. The work is shown for personal portfolio presentation purposes only and must not be shared by any third parties. All opinions expressed are by the owner of the website and do not necessarily reflect those of Corryn Biotech & ITERATE UK.